Recognition service provision system and method using open badge linked to academic achievement of block chain platform

Abstract

To provide a recognition service provision system and method using open badges linked to academic achievements of a block chain platform.SOLUTION: This disclosure relates to an open badge issuing service provision device and method linked to academic achievements of a block chain platform, and can save time and effort of making a user visit an educational institution or a homepage of the educational institution to receive issuance of certificates of completion, certificates of course completion, or the like in a conventional manner and perform a direct submission to a demand agency (a presentation agency) even though security is secured, and can reduce incidental expenses in addition to its time required, of course, by simply issuing and providing an open badge of block chain platform associated with academic studies so that the user (a learner) can prove his / her qualifications obtained through education, learning, examinations, or the like, provided by the educational institution (a learning institution).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an authentication service providing apparatus and method using an open badge, and more particularly, to an authentication service providing system and method using an academic achievement-linked open badge based on a blockchain infrastructure.

Background Art

[0002] With the development of Internet services, most people use a large number of online services such as government agencies, educational institutions, medical institutions, communication carriers, financial institutions, passenger companies, asset management, credit information, portals, social network services (SNS), games, shopping, ticket issuance, home delivery, and electronic voting via the Internet.

[0003] Therefore, a user who wants to use such services must either register as a member by inputting personal information including their real name, or authenticate that they are a registered user by inputting a specific ID and password. However, since it is quite troublesome to repeat such authentication procedures for each of multiple sites, in recent years, methods have been developed to enable easier login, which is called simple authentication, and to facilitate financial transactions on the Internet.

[0004] Conventionally, user authentication has been performed using a centralized ID (Identification) system. Typically, a public certificate and an Active X program for using it are installed, or installed via another application (App) for authentication, and authentication is performed via such a program or application. Note that Active X is, for example, software that can cooperate with software operating on different computers via the Internet and exchange data and program components.

[0005] However, in the case of a centralized identity verification system, there are problems of leakage and misuse of personal information.

[0006] In addition, when verifying the identity of a user using a program or application as described above, there is the annoyance that another program must be installed, and there is also a problem that the identity verification of the user cannot be smoothly performed because there is no compatibility with the applications or programs currently in use.

[0007] In recent years, DID (Decentralized IDentifiers) technology, which enables users to perform identity verification through an issuing agency, has attracted attention. A DID can be said to be an identifier for realizing a decentralized ID, which is a mechanism for identifying oneself or proving information about oneself without relying on a centralized ID issuer.

[0008] On the other hand, in recent years, open badges have emerged as a new digital credentialing method using blockchain technology. This open badge incorporates an individual's learning history, skills, knowledge, reputation, experience, capabilities, etc. as metadata into a unique image. By using open badges, a wide range of learning outcomes can be captured and recognized, and since verification is possible with blockchain, there is an effect that the reliability of the results can be improved. That is, an open badge is a standardized framework that can share badges, and can have a credentialing system for evaluation, issuance security, and authentication, ensuring reliability.

[0009] Therefore, it is necessary to develop a technology that provides open badges associated with the academic work so that users (learners) can prove their qualifications obtained through education, learning, tests, etc. provided by educational institutions (learning institutions), and can easily utilize them. Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0010] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide an open badge based on a blockchain linked to the academic work so that a user (learner) can prove their own qualifications acquired through education, learning, tests, etc. provided by an educational institution (learning institution). By simply issuing and providing the open badge, while ensuring security, the user does not need to visit the educational institution or its homepage as in the past to receive the issuance of a completion certificate, a course completion certificate, etc. and directly submit it to the demanding institution (submitting institution). The present disclosure aims to provide an authentication service providing system and method using an academic achievement-linked open badge based on a blockchain that can save the time and effort required and reduce the incidental costs as well as the required time.

[0011] Another object of the present disclosure is to enable a user to integrate and manage at least one open badge issued to themselves, easily view fragmented (individually scattered) history data of the individual, and post this on at least one social network service (SNS) so that it can be used quickly and easily for employment or further education. The present disclosure aims to provide an authentication service providing system and method using an academic achievement-linked open badge based on a blockchain.

[0012] The problems to be solved by the present disclosure are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art from the following description.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0013] A certification service providing system using a blockchain-based academic achievement-linked open badge according to one aspect of the present disclosure for achieving the above-described technical problems provides a learning service to a user terminal, receives learning execution result information from the user terminal, and generates or updates history information regarding the corresponding user. A first institutional terminal, learns through the learning service provided by the first institutional terminal, stores an open badge issued by requesting the issuance of an open badge for the learning to a service server, and submits the stored open badge to a second institutional terminal to request qualification certification. The user terminal, when a request for issuing an open badge is received from the user terminal, determines whether to issue an open badge by checking whether the corresponding user has an issuance qualification for the requested open badge, and records and manages the issued open badge on the DID electronic wallet of the corresponding user registered on the blockchain. A service server, when the stored open badge is submitted from the user terminal, requests the service server to verify the submitted open badge and determines whether to certify the qualification for the learning of the corresponding user. And a second institutional terminal, wherein the service server recommends other learning related to the open badge already issued to the corresponding user to the user terminal so that the corresponding user can receive the issuance of an additional open badge. The open badge includes essential metadata and optional metadata. The essential metadata includes verification URL information, and the optional metadata can include evidence material URL information, integratability information with other badges, other service purpose information, prior learning requirement information for course registration, relationship information with other courses, and qualification characteristic information generated by integration with other courses.

[0014] In addition, a method for providing an authentication service using a blockchain-based academic achievement-linked open badge according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: when a user terminal completes learning based on a learning service provided by a first institutional terminal, transmitting learning execution result information related to the learning to the first institutional terminal; the first institutional terminal generating or updating history information related to the corresponding user based on the learning execution result information; when a service server receives a request for issuing an open badge for the learning from the user terminal, checking whether the corresponding user has the qualification to issue the requested open badge via the first institutional terminal; if the result of the check shows that the corresponding user has the qualification to issue the requested open badge, the service server issuing an open badge for the learning based on badge issuance data for the corresponding user; the service server recording and managing the issued open badge on the DID digital wallet of the corresponding user registered on the blockchain; and when a verification request for the issued open badge is received from a second institutional terminal, the service server verifying the issued open badge based on the DID digital wallet of the corresponding user. The step of issuing the open badge includes the service server recommending other learning related to the open badge already issued to the corresponding user to the user terminal so that the corresponding user can receive the issuance of additional open badges. The open badge includes essential metadata and optional metadata. The essential metadata includes verification URL information. The optional metadata can include evidence material URL information, integration possibility information with other badges, other service purpose information, prerequisite information for prior learning for course registration, relatedness information with other courses, and qualification characteristic information generated by integration with other courses.

[0015] In addition, a computer program stored in a computer-readable recording medium for executing a method for implementing the present disclosure can be further provided.

[0016] In addition, a computer-readable recording medium for recording a computer program for executing a method for embodying the present disclosure can be further provided.

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] According to the means for solving the above-described problems of the present disclosure, by simply issuing and providing an open badge on a blockchain infrastructure associated with the academic work so that a user (learner) can prove their own qualifications obtained through education, learning, tests, etc. provided by an educational institution (learning institution), while ensuring security, the user does not have to visit the educational institution or its homepage as in the past to receive the issuance of a completion certificate, a course completion certificate, etc. and submit it directly to the demand institution (submission institution), thus saving the time and, of course, reducing the incidental costs.

[0018] On the other hand, according to the present disclosure, at least one open badge issued to the user can be integrated and managed so that fragmented historical data of the individual can be easily confirmed, and this can be posted on at least one social network service (SNS) so that it can be quickly and easily utilized for employment or further education.

[0019] The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by an ordinary technician from the following description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020]

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[0021] The advantages, features, and the methods for achieving them of the present invention will become clear by referring to the embodiments described in detail below together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and can be embodied in various different forms. However, these embodiments are provided to make the present disclosure complete and to enable those of ordinary skill in the art (those skilled in the art) in the technical field to which the present disclosure pertains to fully understand the scope of the present invention, and the present disclosure is only defined by the scope of the claims.

[0022] The terms used in this specification are for the purpose of describing the embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. In this specification, the singular form also includes the plural form unless otherwise specifically stated. The terms "comprises" and / or "comprising" used in the specification do not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other components in addition to the recited components. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals denote the same components, and "and / or" includes each of the recited components and all combinations of one or more of them. For example, even though terms such as "first", "second", etc. are used to describe various components, it goes without saying that these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish one component from another. Therefore, it is obvious that the first component mentioned below can also be the second component within the technical idea of the present disclosure.

[0023] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in this specification are used in the meaning commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. Also, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are not ideally or excessively interpreted unless specifically defined otherwise.

[0024] Throughout the present disclosure, the same reference numerals denote the same components. The present disclosure does not describe all elements of the embodiments, and general content in the technical field to which the present disclosure pertains or overlapping content in the embodiments is omitted. As used in the specification, the terms "part" or "module" refer to a component of hardware such as software, FPGA, or ASIC, and the "part" or "module" plays a specific role. However, the "part" or "module" is not meant to be limited in meaning to software or hardware. The "part" or "module" may be configured to exist in an addressable storage medium or may be configured to cause one or more processors to execute. Thus, by way of example, the "part" or "module" includes components such as components of software, components of object-oriented software, components of classes, and components of tasks, and processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuits, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. The functions provided within the components and the "part" or "module" can be combined in fewer components and "part" or "module", or can be further separated into additional components and "part" or "module", etc.

[0025] Throughout the specification, when it is stated that a part is "connected" to another part, this includes not only cases where they are directly connected, but also cases where they are indirectly connected, and indirect connection includes connection via a wireless communication network.

[0026] Also, when it is stated that a part "includes" a certain component, this means that, unless otherwise stated to the contrary, it does not exclude other components, but can further include other components.

[0027] Throughout the specification, when it is stated that a member is "on" another member, this includes not only cases where a member is in contact with another member, but also cases where there is another member between the two members.

[0028] Terms such as first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one component from another, and the components are not limited by the terms described above.

[0029] Singular expressions include plural expressions in the context, unless there is an obvious exception.

[0030] At each stage, the identification codes are used for convenience of explanation, and the identification codes do not explain the order of each stage. Each stage can be implemented in a different order from the specified order unless the specific order is clearly described in the context.

[0031] Defining the terms used in the following description, it is as follows.

[0032] In explaining the present disclosure, although it is limited to the service server 300, it may further include a server, a computer, and / or a mobile terminal, or may be in any one of these forms.

[0033] Here, the server is a server that communicates with an external device to process information, and may include an application server, a computing server, a database server, a file server, a game server, a mail server, a proxy server, a web server, etc.

[0034] The computer may include, for example, a notebook computer equipped with a web browser, a desktop, a laptop, a tablet PC, a slate PC, etc.

[0035] The portable terminal is, for example, a wireless communication device that guarantees portability and mobility, such as a PCS (Personal Communication System), GSM (Global System for Mobile communications), PDC (Personal Digital Cellular), PHS (Personal Handyphone System), PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), IMT (International Mobile Telecommunication)-2000, CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access)-2000, W-CDMA (W-Code Division Multiple Access), WiBro (Wireless Broadband Internet) terminal, Smart Phone, or other wireless communication devices based on a handheld platform, and can include wearable devices such as watches, rings, bracelets, anklets, necklaces, glasses, contact lenses, or head-mounted devices (HMDs).

[0036] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the operating principle and embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

[0037] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the network structure of an authentication service providing system using a blockchain-based academic achievement-linked open badge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the procedure for providing an authentication service using a blockchain-based academic achievement-linked open badge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 1, a learning achievement-linked open badge issuance service providing system (hereinafter referred to as the "providing system") 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be configured to include a user terminal 100, a first institutional terminal 200, a service providing device (hereinafter referred to as the "providing device") 300, and a second institutional terminal 400. Here, although one first institutional terminal 200 and one second institutional terminal 400 are shown respectively, this is for convenience of explanation and does not limit their number and type. On the other hand, hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, a learning institution will be described as an example of the components of the system 1000, but it is applicable to any institution that provides courses for other users to obtain qualifications such as learning, education, and work, and is not limited thereto.

[0039] The user terminal 100 is a terminal of a user (Recipient) who conducts learning, education, work, etc. provided by at least one first institution based on each first institutional terminal 200 and obtains related qualifications, and registers the issuer's decentralized ID information on the blockchain (trusted ID repository) via the service server 300 in order to receive an authentication service using the learning achievement-linked open badge of the blockchain infrastructure, that is, performs registration of a DID user (also referred to as DID user registration). At this time, when performing DID user registration, while issuing the first decentralized ID, the identity of the user, that is, the user's identity, is verified through any one of a plurality of authentication methods. Here, the plurality of authentication methods correspond to integrated authentication and can include at least one of biometric authentication, PIN number, and pattern. Integrated authentication is, for example, one that integrally manages user information for accessing a plurality of systems, and enables user identity verification in a plurality of systems by verifying the identity of the user through a single login operation for a plurality of systems that require individual authentication processing.

[0040] After a user who holds the user terminal 100 obtains qualifications, when the service server 300 is requested to issue an open badge including an Assertion containing the achievement information as a result of the performance of learning, education, work, etc. provided by the first institutional terminal 200, the service server 300 issues an open badge as a response thereto. On the other hand, the issued open badge can be submitted or presented to the second institutional terminal 400 that needs it in response to the request of the user terminal 100.

[0041] On the one hand, the first institutional terminal 200 is a device or server installed in an educational institution, and can provide another web page or platform (application) to provide its learning service. That is, the first institutional terminal 200 can construct and provide another web page or platform (application), and based on this, provide the learning service requested by at least one user terminal 100 registered for the learning service.

[0042] This first institutional terminal 200 stores and manages not only the user information of its users but also the historical information related to learning. Here, the user information includes at least one of the name, age, gender, address, contact information, and educational background of the user, and the historical information includes login information including login history, enrollment information (enrollment year, major, student number, etc.) related to the user, major information, lecture information (semester information, lecture code, classification code, course application information, curriculum, lecture content, whether the curriculum is completed, credit units, etc.), learning course information (student number, course code, whether the course is completed, etc.), question information (question name / question content, answer name / answer content, etc.), assignment information, grade information, and evaluation information (evaluation results such as proficiency, ability, talent, etc.).

[0043] In addition, in response to a request from the user terminal 100, the first institutional terminal 200 provides the corresponding learning service. When the user completes all the learning courses for a specific learning via the user terminal 100, the first institutional terminal 200 receives the learning execution result and confers the qualification corresponding to the learning course on the user. At this time, the first institutional terminal 200 can newly generate history information regarding the user based on the learning execution result, or update the already generated history information.

[0044] Thereby, when at least one of the user terminal 100, the service server 300, and the second institutional terminal (demand institution) 400 requests the first institutional terminal 200 to directly or indirectly confirm the presence or absence of qualifications for the user, or requests the first institutional terminal 200 to confirm whether the user has the qualifications for receiving the issuance of an open badge, the first institutional terminal 200 can confirm the presence or absence of qualifications based on the user information and the history information and return a reply. At this time, the first institutional terminal 200 checks whether the corresponding user meets the requirements necessary to obtain an open badge based on the already stored criteria. If the user meets these requirements, the first institutional terminal 200 can provide the service server 300 with badge issuance data extracted from a part of the history information in the history information. However, this is only applicable to the embodiment, and it is also possible to directly provide the service server 300 with the history information regarding the user without the need to extract the badge issuance data from the history information.

[0045] Here, there are at least one or more first institutional terminals 200. Each first institutional terminal 200 is associated (interlocked) with the service server 300 via an interface such as an API (Application Programming Interface). The systems, formats, etc. for qualification certificates, authentication certificates, etc. that can be issued by each first institution (learning institution, educational institution, etc.) can be stored together.

[0046] On the one hand, the service server 300 can perform operations such as managing badge issuance data, registering and managing badge issuance institutions, providing badge standard guides, constructing a badge operation framework, verifying badge issuance institutions and badge issuance histories, and providing badge issuance data information. Here, the badge issuance data can be data for badge issuance and can be data extracted from the history information stored and managed by the first institutional terminal 200. However, this is only one example, and the service server 300 can also provide the history information of its users as it is, without limitation.

[0047] After issuing an open badge based on the badge issuance data or history information, the service server 300 registers the badge issuance data on the blockchain for management. At this time, the badge issuance data or history information includes the public key used to sign the claim by the first institutional terminal 200. This public key can then be used when verifying the DID. In addition, the service server 300 can also revoke the open badge. At this time, the necessary revocation method depends on whether the claim is a hosted claim or a signed claim.

[0048] On the other hand, when issuing an open badge, the service server 300 confirms (measures) at least one of the learning units, proficiency levels, abilities, and talents of the corresponding user based on the badge issuance data or history information and issues an open badge.

[0049] That is, in an open badge, metadata such as the user's achievements and capabilities is included in the badge image, and it can be verified anywhere and at any time. Here, the metadata is what is recorded in a normal digital badge, and it can be based on the minimum metadata. For example, the essential metadata includes at least one of the following: first institution data (issuer name, issuer address, issuer description, whether it is an accredited issuer, etc.), badge class (course name, whether it is an accredited course, characteristics / level of the accredited course, scope of the course, characteristics / level of the course, completion / qualification acquisition criteria, type of qualification quality assurance, etc.), acquisition data (completion / acquired qualification, badge issuance date, badge expiration date, type of evaluation, form of participation in learning activities, etc.), acquirer (acquirer name, acquirer information, etc.), and verification information (verification URL, etc.). The optional metadata can include at least one of the following: additional information about the issuer, course completion criteria / cycle, evidence material URL, revocation / revocation reason, integratability with other badges, other service purpose-related information, prior learning requirements for course registration, evaluation process, acquired points, relationship with other courses, characteristics of the qualification generated by integration / cumulation with other courses, and position on the learning portfolio / career path.

[0050] Such metadata can be used by the issuer or the issued party to verify it when there is a request from the acquirer or the demander in case of closure by the issuer or data loss or damage.

[0051] In addition, the service server 300 stores and retrieves blockchain data of the smart contract infrastructure for open badges. At this time, using a data block allocation table linked to a data registration transaction, an actual data block constitutes one file form, and the meta information of the data and the data block allocation table can be cached to improve the performance of data search. Furthermore, it can be configured so that an actual data block is configured in one file form using a data block allocation table linked to a data registration transaction, and the meta information of the data and the data block allocation table can be cached to improve the performance of data search. For this purpose, data is encrypted based on unique information generated by a smart contract, and the encrypted data is applied so as to automatically obtain a decryption key according to access control authority.

[0052] For this purpose, the service server 300 can construct and provide another web page or platform (application), and based on this, each device (user terminal, issuer terminal, requester terminal, etc.) registered for the authentication service can receive the authentication service using the blockchain-based academic achievement-linked open badge.

[0053] A dashboard for each user can be configured on this web page or platform, and at least one open badge issued to each user, that is, the current status of the DID, can be configured in the form of a portfolio on the dashboard. Thereby, the user can execute the web page or platform via the user terminal 100 and check various information regarding at least one open badge issued to the user through the user's DID status.

[0054] In addition, the service server 300 can perform registration of DID for the user, issuance of open badges, verification of DID, etc. based on the already associated API (Application Programing Interface) 500.

[0055] On the other hand, the second institutional terminal 400 is a device (terminal) installed in a consumer institution. When an open badge is submitted or presented from the user terminal 100, it can request the service server 300 to verify the claim digitally signed on the open badge based on the public key, so that the verification of the DID can be performed.

[0056] Thus, when the verification is completed by the service server 300, it is possible to determine whether to recognize the user's qualification for the corresponding open badge based on the verification result.

[0057] On the other hand, the user terminal 100, the first institutional terminal 200, and the second institutional terminal 400 can be a computer, UMPC (Ultra Mobile PC), workstation, net-book, PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), portable computer, web tablet, wireless phone, mobile phone, smart phone, Pad, Smart watch, wearable terminal, e-book, PMP (portable multimedia player), portable game console, navigation device, black box, or digital camera, or other mobile communication terminals that can install and execute a number of application programs (i.e., applications) desired by the user / first institution (such as educational institutions, learning institutions) / consumer institution (such as consumers, submission destinations). At this time, the user terminal 100, the first institutional terminal 200, and the second institutional terminal 400 can be provided in various forms, and this is not limited.

[0058] As described above, the service providing system 1000 according to the present disclosure can be implemented through data transmission and reception among the user terminal 100, the first institutional terminal 200, the service server 300, and the second institutional terminal 400.

[0059] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of an authentication service providing system using a blockchain-based academic achievement-linked open badge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 3, the user terminal 100 transmits a request for providing a learning service (request information) to the first institutional terminal 200 in order to receive the learning service provided by the first institution (S101). At this time, if the user is a new user, the learning service provision request is a request for joining the learning service, and if the user is an already-joined user, it may be a request for providing a specific learning among at least one learning service.

[0061] Next, the first institutional terminal 200 checks the request information in step S101 (S103), checks whether the user has access rights, determines whether to provide the learning service, and then provides the requested learning service only to accessible users (S105).

[0062] Next, when the user of the user terminal 100 performs the learning service provided by the first institutional terminal 200 and completes all the corresponding learning services, the user terminal 100 transmits the learning execution result to the first institutional terminal 200 (S107).

[0063] Next, the first institutional terminal 200 newly generates history information regarding the corresponding user based on the learning execution result received in step S107, or updates the already-generated history information (S109).

[0064] After that, in order for the user terminal 100 to receive the authentication service provided by the blockchain-based academic achievement-linked open badge, the user terminal 100 sends a request for DID user registration to the service server 300 (S111), and the service server 300 registers the DID user by registering the user's decentralized ID information in a trusted ID repository, that is, on the blockchain (S113). At this time, a DID electronic wallet for the corresponding user can be generated. The DID electronic wallet is, for example, for securely managing the user's digital information and presenting it as needed, and stores various types of information.

[0065] Next, when the user of the user terminal 100 wants to receive the issuance of an open badge, the user terminal 100 sends a request for the issuance of an open badge to the service server 300 (S115). At this time, although not shown in FIG. 3, the user terminal 100 can also be provided with at least one open badge that it can issue from the service server 300 in a list form (hereinafter referred to as the "issuable open badge list") when requesting the issuance of an open badge. That is, the user can send a request for issuance of one of the open badges in the list. For this purpose, the service server 300 can perform an operation of registering at least one first institutional terminal 200 in advance, and can confirm at least one open badge that each user can receive through the history information of each user from the registered at least one first institutional terminal 200. On the other hand, as another embodiment, the service server 300 recommends issuing an open badge that can be issued in addition to the open badge requested for issuance by the user, or recommends other learning related to the already issued open badge to assist in obtaining additional open badge issuance qualifications.

[0066] Next, the service server 300 checks the request information in step S115 (S117), and requests the first institutional terminal 200 to confirm the user's eligibility for the open badge for which the issuance has been requested (S119).

[0067] Next, in response to the request at step S119, the first institutional terminal 200 checks the history information of its user, extracts data for badge issuance, i.e., badge issuance data, from the history information (S121), and transmits this to the service server 300 (S123).

[0068] Next, the service server 300 issues the open badge for which issuance has been requested based on the badge issuance data at step S123 (S125), and transmits issuance information including the issued open badge to the user terminal 100 (S127).

[0069] Thereby, the user terminal 100 stores the open badge included in the issuance information (S129), and can post the open badge on at least one SNS installed on the user terminal 100 as needed.

[0070] Thereafter, in order to submit the open badge corresponding to the relevant qualification to the second institution that desires to certify the user's own qualification, the user terminal 100 generates submission information including the open badge stored at step S129 (S131), and transmits the submission information to the second institutional terminal 400 (S133).

[0071] Next, the second institutional terminal 400 checks the submission information (S135), and requests the service server 300 to verify the open badge included in the submission information (S137).

[0072] Thereby, the service server 300 verifies the open badge in response to the request at step S137 (S139), generates verification result information including the verification result, and transmits this to the second institutional terminal 400 (S141).

[0073] Next, the second institutional terminal 400 checks the verification result information received at step S141, and determines whether to certify the qualification of the user (S143).

[0074] Figure 4 is a diagram for explaining the concept of an academic achievement-linked open badge on a blockchain infrastructure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0075] The open badge 600 can be issued, acquired, and managed via an open badge platform that supports the open badge standard. As shown in FIG. 4, the open badge 600 includes information regarding the content of the skills to be guaranteed, the information of the issuer, the user information to be acquired and posted, the expiration date, the method for verification, and the like. Although the open badge 600 can also be accessed from an ecosystem perspective, the main stakeholders can be classified into three types: the issuing organization that issues the open badge 600, the user who acquires the badge, and the company that develops the open badge platform.

[0076] First, such an open badge 600 has its issuability determined by being qualified by a learning institution. Such a learning institution divides learning into small chunks and provides it to users, certifies learning based on proficiency, confers the qualification to issue an open badge as the meaning of certification for micro-credentials, and can measure and maintain the user's abilities (talents, qualifications).

[0077] In addition, the user who has been issued the open badge 600 submits (presents) the open badge 600 as evidence of the skills and academic achievements they have acquired for further education at a higher-level school or job hunting, claims that the open badge has been issued to the user, collects the open badge 600 in a portfolio or backpack to inform their story, and the user can share their open badge 600 with social media or communities. That is, the open badge 600 can be posted on at least one Social Network Service in response to a request from the user terminal 100.

[0078] Furthermore, companies looking for business opportunities can design a system that can recognize and verify the small learning units provided by learning institutions, track users' participation levels to expand resources, develop tools to issue and display / host open badges 600, and obtain compliance certifications by applying open badge standards.

[0079] On the other hand, the open badge 600 includes the issuer, badge class, and assertion, where the assertion can include achievement information regarding the history of the corresponding user's actions.

[0080] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a service server that provides an authentication service using a blockchain-based academic achievement-linked open badge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0081] Referring to FIG. 5, a service server 300 that provides an authentication service using a blockchain-based academic achievement-linked open badge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be configured to include a communication module 310, a storage module 320, and a processor 330.

[0082] The communication module 310 performs wired or wireless communication with the user terminal 100, the first institutional terminal 200, the second institutional terminal 400, and at least one other external device (such as a server). In particular, when performing wireless communication, it is configured to transmit and receive wireless signals through a communication network based on wireless Internet technology.

[0083] The communication module 310 can include one or more components that enable communication with external devices. For example, it can include at least one of a wired communication module, a wireless communication module, and a short-range communication module, and based on this, it is configured to transmit and receive signals.

[0084] Here, the wired communication module can include not only various wired communication modules such as a Local Area Network (LAN) module, a Wide Area Network (WAN) module, or a Value Added Network (VAN) module, but also various cable communication modules such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), HDMI (registered trademark) (High Definition Multimedia Interface), DVI (Digital Visual Interface), RS-232 (recommended standard 232), power line communication, or POTS (plain old telephone service).

[0085] In addition to the Wi-Fi module and the Wireless broadband module, the wireless communication module can include wireless communication modules that support various wireless communication methods such as GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (registered trademark) (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access), UMTS (universal mobile telecommunications system), TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access), WLAN (Wireless LAN), DLNA (registered trademark) (Digital Living Network Alliance), WiBro (Wireless Broadband), WiMAX (World Interoperability for Microwave Access), HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access), HSUPA (High Speed Uplink Packet Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G, 5G, 6G, etc.

[0086] The short-range communication module is for short-range communication and supports Bluetooth (registered trademark), RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), infrared communication (Infrared Data Association; IrDA), UWB (Ultra Wideband), ZigBee (registered trademark), NFC (Near Field Communication), Wi-Fi (Wireless-Fidelity), Wi-Fi Direct, Wireless USB (Wireless Universal Serial Bus) technologies for short-range communication. TM ) and can support short-range communication using at least one of them.

[0087] Specifically, the communication module 310 can receive requests for issuing and authenticating the open badge from each of the user terminal 100, the first institutional terminal 200, and the second institutional terminal 400 based on wired or wireless communication, and send the results thereof. Also, various types of information for issuing and authenticating the open badge can be transmitted and received between the user terminal 100, the first institutional terminal 200, and / or the second institutional terminal 400 via the communication module 310. Moreover, the communication module 310 transmits and receives various other information with at least one external device.

[0088] The storage module 320 stores data and / or various information that supports the diverse functions of the service server 300. It can store a large number of application programs (application program or application) driven by the service server 300, data for the operation of the service server 300, and instruction words. At least some of such application programs can be downloaded from an external server via wireless communication. On the other hand, the application program is stored in at least one memory provided in the storage module 320, installed on the service server 300, and can be driven to perform operations (or functions) by at least one processor provided in the processor 330.

[0089] On the other hand, the at least one memory can include at least one type of storage medium such as flash memory type, hard disk type, multimedia card micro type, card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory, etc.), RAM (Random Access Memory), SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), ROM (Read-Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory), magnetic memory, magnetic disk, and optical disk. Also, the memory can store information temporarily, permanently, or semi-permanently and can be provided in a built-in or detachable type.

[0090] The storage module 320 can construct and include a database for providing an authentication service using blockchain-based learning achievement-linked open badges. Various information regarding each of at least one user (users, educational institutions, demand institutions, etc.) who has joined the authentication service can be stored in this database. Also, the storage module 320 can store at least one process for providing an authentication service using blockchain-based learning achievement-linked open badges.

[0091] The processor 330 can include at least one processor for providing an authentication service using blockchain-based learning achievement-linked open badges, control all components within the service server 300, and process signals, data, information, etc. that are input or output, or execute instruction words, algorithms, application programs stored in at least one memory to perform various processes.

[0092] That is, the processor 330 controls to perform all operations performed by the service server 300 described based on FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0093] Specifically, when a request for DID user registration is received from the user terminal 100, the processor 330 verifies the identity of the user through integrated authentication (biometric authentication, PIN number, pattern) while issuing the first decentralized ID and registers the DID on the blockchain.

[0094] On the other hand, when a request for issuing an open badge for the corresponding user is received from the user terminal 100, the processor 330 accesses the decentralized ID based on any one of a plurality of authentication methods to perform user authentication, and then provides a list of issuable open badges including at least one open badge issuable to the corresponding user. When any one of the open badges is selected, the open badge is issued by checking and combining the history data and format based on the DID electronic wallet of the corresponding user registered on the blockchain.

[0095] Further, when the processor 330 receives a request for DID verification for an open badge already issued from the user terminal 100 or the second institutional terminal 400, it accesses the decentralized ID based on any one of a plurality of authentication methods to perform user authentication, and performs DID verification for the already issued open badge based on the DID electronic wallet of the corresponding user registered on the blockchain.

[0096] At this time, when performing DID verification, the processor 330 can verify the badge issuance data using the hash value of the already issued open badge (the open badge for which DID verification is requested) and the hash value of the open badge already registered on the blockchain. Here, the hash value of the already issued open badge can be obtained based on the public key used to sign the claim digitally signed on the open badge.

[0097] This processor 330 can perform DID verification based on an already associated API (Application Programing Interface).

[0098] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a method for providing an authentication service using an academic achievement-linked open badge on a blockchain infrastructure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0099] Referring to FIG. 6, in order for a user to receive the provision of an authentication service using an academic achievement-linked open badge on a blockchain infrastructure, the user terminal 100 is used to send a request for DID user registration, thereby registering the DID user on the blockchain in the service server 300 (S210).

[0100] Next, when the user terminal 100 selects an issuance item and requests issuance of an open badge, the service server 300 issues the open badge based on the DID electronic wallet of the corresponding user via an already associated API (S220).

[0101] Next, when the service server 300 receives a request for DID verification for an already issued open badge from the user terminal 100 or the second institutional terminal 400, it verifies the DID for that open badge based on the DID digital wallet of the corresponding user via the already linked API (S230).

[0102] On the other hand, although not shown in FIG. 6, the service server 300 can perform registration for at least one issuer at the stage of S210 or earlier. At this time, the systems, formats, etc. for certificates of qualification, certificates of authentication, etc. granted by each first institution can be stored together.

[0103] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific operation of issuing an open badge in an authentication service providing method using an academic achievement-linked open badge on a blockchain infrastructure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0104] Referring to FIG. 7, when the service server 300 receives a request for issuing an open badge for a corresponding user from the user terminal 100 (S221), it accesses the decentralized ID based on any one of a plurality of authentication methods to perform user authentication (S222).

[0105] Next, the service server 300 provides an issuable open badge list including at least one open badge issuable to the corresponding user (S223). When selection information generated by the user selecting any one of the open badges via the user terminal 100 is received (S224), the service server 300 performs issuance of the selected open badge by checking and combining history data and formats based on the DID digital wallet of the corresponding user registered on the blockchain (S225).

[0106] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a specific operation of issuing an open badge in an authentication service providing method using an academic achievement-linked open badge on a blockchain infrastructure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0107] Referring to FIG. 8, when the service server 300 receives a request for DID verification of an open badge already issued to the corresponding user from the user terminal 100 or the second institutional terminal 400 (S231), it accesses the decentralized ID based on any one of a plurality of authentication methods to perform user authentication (S232).

[0108] Next, the service server 300 verifies the DID for the already issued open badge for which DID verification was requested in step S231 based on the DID electronic wallet of the corresponding user registered on the blockchain (S233).

[0109] At this time, in step S233, the badge issuance data can be verified using the hash value of the already issued open badge (the open badge for which DID verification was requested) and the hash value of the open badge already registered on the blockchain. Here, the hash value of the already issued open badge can be obtained based on the public key used to sign the claim digitally signed on the open badge.

[0110] FIGS. 9A to 9E are diagrams showing an example of a screen displayed on the display of a user terminal that performs a user registration procedure in order to receive an authentication service using a blockchain-based academic achievement-linked open badge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 9A, the user executes another web page or application via the user terminal 100 in order to use an authentication service using an open badge based on the blockchain DID. FIG. 9A shows another web page or application for entering the open badge service page. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9B, a button activated to request the issuance of a DID or an open badge for the corresponding user can be displayed on the display 110 of the user terminal 100.

[0112] If the user selects the DID issuance application button, as shown in FIG. 9C, the user interface is configured such that the user inputs at least one piece of personal information for identity verification. By completing the input, as shown in FIG. 9D, the user can select at least one authentication method from among a plurality of authentication methods to perform authentication registration.

[0113] As a result, when the user registration / authentication is completed, as shown in FIG. 9E, the DID can be issued to the user.

[0114] FIGS. 10A to 10E are diagrams showing specific operations for issuing an open badge in an authentication service providing method using a blockchain-based academic achievement-linked open badge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0115] As shown in FIG. 10A, the user executes another web page or application via the user terminal 100 to receive an authentication service using a blockchain-based academic achievement-linked open badge. FIG. 10A shows another web page or application for entering the open badge service page. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10B, a button activated to request the issuance of a DID or an open badge for the corresponding user can be displayed on the display 110 of the user terminal 100.

[0116] When the user selects the open badge issuance application button, as shown in FIG. 10C, the user can perform user authentication (DID authentication) by selecting any one of a plurality of authentication methods.

[0117] As a result, at least one open badge issuable to the user can be displayed on the display 110 of the user terminal 100. However, when the user selects an open badge for an education completion certificate among the at least one issuable open badge, as shown in FIG. 10D, the history data for the education completion certificate can be displayed on the display 110.

[0118] When the user selects the open badge application button based on the screen, as shown in FIG. 10E, the issuance of the open badge for the education completion certificate can be completed.

[0119] FIGS. 11A to 11E are diagrams showing an example of a screen displayed on the display of a user terminal so as to be able to check the status of the DID electronic wallet of the corresponding user generated on the blockchain according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 11A, in order for the user to use the authentication service using the open badge on the blockchain DID infrastructure, the user interface can be configured so that the user can set the provision environment for the authentication service by executing another web page or application via the user terminal 100. When the user interface is configured, a screen including my DID status, open badge issuance status, authentication means management, and usage history is displayed in FIG. 11A.

[0121] When the user wants to check their own DID status, by selecting the corresponding item (my DID status), as shown in FIG. 11B, at least one DID issued to themselves can be checked. Also, when the user wants to check the issuance status of their own open badge (also referred to as the open badge issuance status), by selecting the corresponding item (open badge issuance status), as shown in FIG. 11C, at least one open badge issued to themselves can be checked. Further, when the user wants to set or change the authentication means for authenticating themselves, by selecting the corresponding item (authentication means management), as shown in FIG. 11D, the screen can be configured so that authentication can be registered for each of the multiple available authentication means. Finally, when the user wants to check their usage history, by selecting the corresponding item (usage history), as shown in FIG. 11E, the screen can be configured so that the history of using the authentication service by themselves can be checked.

[0122] As a result, as shown in FIG. 11B, buttons activated to request the issuance of a DID or an open badge for the corresponding user can be displayed on the display 110 of the user terminal 100.

[0123] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of utilization of a blockchain-based academic achievement-linked open badge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0124] Open badges are widely adopted in the field of education because they provide the following powerful functions that differentiate them from other types of digital badges.

[0125] For example, lectures are provided by schools or institutions, and badges are obtained according to conditions, and users (lecture attendees) can obtain badges by attending lectures. The obtained badges can be collected and managed to provide a learning profile (e-Portfolio) service.

[0126] For example, open badges can be issued based on the IMS Global Open Badge International Standard 2.0. This spec is a way to package information about achievements, include it as a portable image file in an open badge, and set resources for verification.

[0127] As a method of posting data so that it can be understood from various contexts, open badges are represented in, for example, JSON-LD and can be included in documents other than the purposes considered in this specification. Open badges can utilize the functions of JSON-LD for internationalization / localization, individual identification with a unique IRI (Internationalized Resource Identifier), and extensibility.

[0128] On the other hand, open badges are used by thousands of badge recipients around the world, and users of the corresponding badges can issue internationalized and multilingual badges by using various languages.

[0129] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the structure of a DID electronic wallet registered on a blockchain according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0130] Referring to FIG. 13, the DID electronic wallet can be designed with expansion in mind so as to accommodate various identity verifications.

[0131] That is, it can perform functions such as secure storage of identity verification information (VC) and DID private keys, and decryption and access control for utilization such as identity verification proof (VP). As a result, the user can utilize and spread the open badges issued to themselves based on online / offline.

[0132] For the secure use and utilization of such a DID electronic wallet, the service server 300 can be equipped with user authentication and convenience functions.

[0133] As shown in FIG. 13, the service server 300 and the second institutional terminal 400 perform issuance or verification of open badges based on the DID electronic wallet of the user registered on the blockchain.

[0134] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example in which a dashboard for a corresponding user is configured and displayed in the form of a portfolio on the display of a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0135] As shown in FIG. 14, the user can execute a web page or platform via their own terminal, i.e., the user terminal 100, to check their own DID status. At this time, the DID status can be configured in the form of a portfolio on a separately configured dashboard and displayed on the display 110.

[0136] Specifically, the learning information regarding at least one course that the user is taking can be displayed, and at this time, whether or not the user has completed each course can be displayed together. In addition, the open badges issued for each of at least one course that the user has completed can be classified and arranged by category.

[0137] However, the screen configuration of FIG. 14 is an example and does not limit the information to be arranged and its form.

[0138] The program described above is for the computer to read the program and execute the method embodied by the program. For this purpose, the processor (CPU) of the computer reads C, C ++ , JAVA (registered trademark), machine language, etc. The code (Code) can include code (Functional Code) related to functions such as functions that define the functions necessary to execute the above method. The code can include control code related to the execution procedure necessary for the processor of the computer to execute the function according to a predetermined procedure. In addition, such code can further include code related to memory reference regarding at which position (address) in the internal or external memory of the computer the additional information and media necessary for the processor of the computer to execute the function should be referenced. Furthermore, when communication with any other remote computer, server, etc. is required for the processor of the computer to execute the function, the code can further include code related to communication regarding how to communicate with any other remote computer, server, etc. using the communication module of the computer, and what information and media should be transmitted and received during communication.

[0139] The medium to be stored does not refer to a medium for storing data in a short time such as a register, cache, memory, etc., but means a medium for storing data semi-permanently and readable by a device. Specifically, examples of the medium to be stored include, but are not limited to, ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage device, etc. That is, the program can be stored in various recording media on various servers connectable to the computer or various recording media on the user's computer. Also, the medium can be distributed in a computer system connected by a network, and code readable by a computer can be stored in a distributed manner.

[0140] The steps of the method or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments of the present invention can be implemented directly in hardware, implemented in software modules executed by the hardware, or implemented by a combination thereof. The software modules can always exist in RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), flash memory, hard disk, removable disk, CD-ROM, or any form of computer-readable recording medium well-known in the technical field to which the present invention belongs.

[0141] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs can implement the present invention in other specific forms without changing its technical idea and essential features. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive.

Claims

1. a first institution terminal that provides a learning service to a user terminal, receives learning performance information from the user terminal, and creates or updates history information about the corresponding user; the user terminal which learns through a learning service provided by the first institution terminal, requests a service server to issue an open badge for the learning, stores the issued open badge, and submits the stored open badge to a second institution terminal to request certification; the service server that, when an open badge is requested from the user terminal, checks whether the corresponding user has the issuance qualification for the requested open badge, determines whether to issue the open badge, and records and manages the issued open badge in the DID electronic wallet of the corresponding user registered on the blockchain; the second institution terminal, when the stored open badge is submitted from the user terminal, requests the service server to verify the submitted open badge and determines whether to certify the user's qualification for the learning; Including, The service server recommends to the user terminal another study related to the open badge already issued to the corresponding user, so that the corresponding user can receive an additional open badge; the open badge includes mandatory metadata and optional metadata; The required metadata includes verification URL information; The selected metadata includes evidence URL information, integration possibility information with other badges, other service purpose information, pre-learning requirement information for course registration, linkage information with other courses, and characteristic information of qualifications generated by integration with other courses. A system for providing authentication services using a blockchain-based academic achievement linked open badge.

2. The open badge comprises: The system for providing an authentication service using a blockchain-based academic achievement linked open badge according to claim 1, which is issued by confirming at least one of the learning units, proficiency, ability, and talent of the corresponding user for the learning, and can be posted on at least one social network service selected by the user terminal.

3. The service server includes: The authentication service providing system using a blockchain-based academic achievement linked open badge as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that it is linked to the first institution terminal based on an API (Application Programming Interface) and performs at least one of DID user registration, open badge issuance, and DID verification for the corresponding user.

4. The service server includes: The authentication service providing system using a blockchain-based academic achievement linked open badge as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that when a request for DID verification for the issued open badge is received from a second institution terminal, the DID for the issued open badge is verified based on the DID electronic wallet of the corresponding user registered on the blockchain.

5. The service server includes: The authentication service providing system using a blockchain-based academic achievement linked open badge as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that, when performing the DID verification, the badge issuance data is verified using a hash value of the issued open badge and a hash value of an open badge already registered in the blockchain.

6. The service server includes: The authentication service providing system using a blockchain-based academic achievement linked open badge as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the issued open badge is verified based on a public key used to sign a digitally signed assertion on the issued open badge.

7. The first engine terminal is The user information and the history information for the corresponding user are included, The badge issuing data includes: The authentication service providing system using a blockchain-based academic achievement linked open badge according to claim 6, characterized in that the authentication service providing system uses the blockchain-based academic achievement linked open badge extracted from the history information.

8. The service server includes:

2. The authentication service providing system using a blockchain-based academic achievement linked open badge as claimed in claim 1, wherein when a request for DID user registration is received from the user terminal, an initial distributed ID is issued to the corresponding user and the identity of the corresponding user is verified through one of a plurality of authentication methods.

9. The plurality of authentication methods include: The authentication service providing system using a blockchain-based academic achievement linked open badge as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that it includes at least one of biometric authentication, PIN number and pattern.

10. A method for providing authentication services using a blockchain-based academic achievement linked open badge performed by a device, When the user completes learning based on the learning service provided by the first institution terminal, the user terminal transmits learning result information regarding the learning to the first institution terminal; The first institution terminal generates or updates history information regarding the corresponding user based on the learning performance result information; When a service server receives a request for issuing an open badge for the learning from the user terminal, the service server checks whether the corresponding user has an issuance qualification for the open badge requested through the first institution terminal; If the user is qualified to receive the open badge, the service server issues an open badge for the learning based on badge issuance data for the user. The service server records and manages the issued open badge on the DID electronic wallet of the corresponding user registered on a blockchain; When a request for verifying the issued open badge is received from a second institution terminal, the service server verifies the issued open badge based on the DID electronic wallet of the corresponding user; Including, The step of issuing the open badge comprises: The service server recommends to the user terminal another study related to the open badge already issued to the corresponding user, so that the corresponding user can receive an additional open badge; the open badge includes mandatory metadata and optional metadata; The required metadata includes verification URL information; The selected metadata includes evidence URL information, integration possibility information with other badges, other service purpose information, pre-learning requirement information for course registration, linkage information with other courses, and characteristic information of qualifications generated by integration with other courses. A method for providing an authentication service using a blockchain-based academic achievement linked open badge.

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